Special Education Graduate Programs

Fast Facts

• We are consistently ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. in special education programs by Teacher.org.
• Rolling admission allows you to start the program when it is most convenient for you.
• You can get your license even before graduating from the program.
• You do not need to have an undergraduate degree in education.
• Bridgewater is the largest preparer of special education teachers in Massachusetts.
• Degree and Certificate programs offered 100% online.

Curriculum

Curriculum varies by program, both in the type and number of required courses and in the choice of electives. Fieldwork, however, is an essential component of all MEd programs. You can do your fieldwork in professional development schools that Bridgewater has letters of agreement with, your current work site, or other school districts in the area. We have working relationships with approximately 120 districts in the southeast quadrant.

* Please check with each individual program as curriculum and admissions requirements vary.

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment. 

Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester.

Special Education, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) (Initial Licensure), MEd

• Total minimum credits: 37, including 19 credits of required courses and 18-21 credits of license requirements (credits for the practicum may vary depending on number of hours)
• Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 Program Flowchart

Special Education, Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (Grades 5-12) (Initial Licensure), MEd

• Total minimum credits: 34, including 16 credits of required courses and 18-21 credits of license requirements (credits for the practicum may vary depending on number of hours)
• Moderate Disabilities Grades 5-12 Program Flowchart

Special Education Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) (Initial Licensure) for Elementary and Early Childhood Teachers, MEd

• Total minimum credits: 34, including 19 credits of required courses and 15-18 credits of license requirements (credits for the practicum may vary depending on number of hours)
• Moderate Disabilities Prek-8 for Elementary and Early Childhood Teachers Program Flowchart

Special Education, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels) (Initial Licensure), MEd

• Total minimum credits: 34, including 13 credits of required courses and 21-24 credits of license requirements (credits for the practicum may vary depending on number of hours)
• Severe Disabilities All Levels Program Flowchart

Special Education Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12) (Partial Fulfillment of Professional Licensure), MEd

• Moderate Disabilities Professional Licensure Program Flowchart

Special Education, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (All Levels) (Partial Fulfillment of Professional Licensure), MEd

• Total minimum credits: 31, including one 1-credit required course, 12 credits of a professional discipline core, and 18 credits of electives
• Severe Disabilities All Levels Professional Licensure Program Flowchart

Special Education (Non-Licensure), MEd

• Total minimum credits: 34, including 10 credits of required courses and 24 credits of electives
• Non-Licensure Program Flowchart

Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Concentration 

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment.
​​​​​​​Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester

Admissions Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Resume
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Active employment in a relevant, related field with at least 6 months of experience in an ABA-based treatment setting
• Working with or supervised by certified BCBA personnel (Supervisor name and contact information must be submitted upon program entry)
• Three letters of recommendation, one must be by a BCBA supervisor
• Personal statement 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Graduate Certificate

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment.
​​​​​​​Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester

Admissions Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Resume
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Active employment in a relevant, related field with at least 6 months of experience in an ABA-based treatment setting
• Working with or supervised by certified BCBA personnel (Supervisor name and contact information must be submitted upon program entry)
• One letter of recommendation from a BCBA supervisor

Autism Endorsement Graduate Certificate

Admissions Requirements:

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Existing initial or professional license in one of the below areas and a minimum of 3 credits in special education. Qualifications for endorsement by the DESE requires a pre-existing license from which the autism endorsement may be added.
  • Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities
  • Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities
  • Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
  • Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Massachusetts Education Personal ID (MEPID)

Application Deadlines:

Applications should be complete six to eight weeks prior to the beginning of classes to ensure an admissions decision for the semester in which the applicant wishes to enroll.

Social Emotional Learning, Graduate Certificate

Application Deadlines

Rolling admission for Fall, Spring and Summer enrollment.
Applications that are not completed prior to the start of the semester will need to be moved to the next applicable semester

Admissions Requirements

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work

Transition Specialist Endorsement Graduate Certificate

Admissions Requirements:

• Online application and $50 application fee
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
• Existing initial or professional license in one of the below areas.  Qualifications for endorsement by the DESE requires a pre-existing license from which the transition specialist endorsement may be added.
  • Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities
  • Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities
  • Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
  • Teacher of the Visually Impaired
  • School Guidance Counselor
  • School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor. 

Massachusetts Education Personal ID (MEPID)

Application Deadlines:

Applications should be complete six to eight weeks prior to the beginning of classes to ensure an admissions decision for the semester in which the applicant wishes to enroll.